TO: All Employees
FR: Karen R. Moranski, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Since late 2022, we have been tracking the development of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, Bard, and DALL-E, and the way they are being used in higher education nationally. Generative AI tools can produce new and unique outputs, including human-like text. They assist in tasks such as writing, research, creating computer code, and language translation, among other tasks. As the availability of these tools increases, so does their usage by students to complete assignments, provide answers to tests, and generate creative content. While these tools may be used positively in an educational context, there is growing concern that higher education institutions may see a rise in students using these tools to engage in academic misconduct without proper citation or attribution.
Adaptation to new technology in higher education is not new, but new technology always raises questions about teaching and learning. As a new English faculty member in the late 1990s and early 2000s who was developing composition programs, I dealt with faculty concerns about the internet and its exponential production of content that was often inaccurate and unverified. I and my colleagues also recognized that students were using that material without a critical eye and without proper attribution or citation. It is a problem we still face today. What I learned by working in the field of Composition Studies is that course design, sequencing of assignments, and assignment development can help students produce independent student work and avoid academic integrity violations.
I have been asked what SSU’s approach will be to generative AI tools and whether we will ban the use of AI tools on campus. Universities are not banning the use of AI. Rather, they are encouraging safe, analytical, ethical use of these tools. Our approach is first and foremost to preserve academic freedom for faculty to explore these tools while also addressing concerns about academic integrity. Faculty should be aware that tools that purport to detect AI-generated content are not 100% reliable, and unfortunately, all of them deliver high rates of false positives, which could lead to students being accused of academic misconduct incorrectly. We are testing AI detection tools to determine their efficacy as part of a pilot program to evaluate new potential Academic Integrity tools for campus, with the pilot being overseen by the Academic Technology and Instructional Spaces Subcommittee (ATISS). More information on this pilot will be forthcoming from our Center for Teaching and Educational Technology. In the meantime, we are placing teaching, learning, and student success as the highest priorities, and CTET will be hosting a number of workshops on AI in the coming weeks (starting August 24). I encourage faculty and staff, particularly staff in instructional support roles, to attend regardless of your ultimate stance on AI, because knowledge of the tools allows us all to have more control over teaching and learning in our classroom or online learning environments.
Nationwide, faculty have had two reactions to generative AI – curiosity about how it can be used in teaching and learning and concern regarding academic integrity; as a campus and as faculty, we must address both of these reactions. Here are some recommended first steps:
- Determine your own policy – this is your decision; here are 3 sample syllabus statements for you to consider and modify as need be, and these are on the CTET website.
- Use the resources available; if you are concerned about your course design and assignments, CTET is here to assist; there will be workshops beginning August 24 and continuing all term. Please email CTET for a one-on-one consultation, if you prefer (ctet@sonoma.edu).
- Know that concerns around academic dishonesty are being fully addressed through faculty governance in partnership with CTET; questions around policy should be directed to faculty governance (ATISS and the Student Affairs Committee).
A working group that includes CTET staff, Academic Senate leadership, the Writing Center, and the Student Conduct Office has been convened to engage with this topic, to provide guidance and advice for the campus, and to support shared governance decision-making. Please see CTET’s AI in Education Initiative page for more information.
Finally, please be advised that Dr. Gerald Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs, and I will be sending a similar message about generative AI to our students early in the semester, which will clearly indicate that decisions regarding potential plagiarism or cheating and the use of AI-generated content remain the purview of the faculty. Students will be advised to consult with their instructors regarding any questions about course-level policies.